It's mid-October and it is the second to last day of the early muzzleloader season. It is in the upper 50's with a steady S/SW breeze.

You have been hunting evenings on the edge of a long, irregular field of bean stubble. There is a thick timber along the west edge and a pasture along the east edge. All week, three big bucks have entered the field from the timber. But they have been arriving late and out of range. There are no suitable stand sites near their regular point of entry.

You are sitting in a ladder stand, in the NW corner of the field. Again, the wind is from the S/SW, so it is in your face as you watch the field.

Finaly, a big bodied buck enters the field from the timber, about 200 yards to the S/SW. He scans the field in a relaxed manner and truns away from you. In desperation, you gunt and then rattle at him. He looks casually over his shoulder, but continues to wander away. You consider the shot, but the wind and the distance keep your finger off the trigger.

Suddenly, a doe enters the field from the pasture side and walks steadily to the SW. The buck takes notice of her and follows her, at a steady walk, around the bend in the field and out of sight. There is 30 min. of shooting light remaining, and no other deer in the field. The wind is in your favor, and you have yet to see the other big bucks. tomorrow is the last day of the season.

Gut says get down and hoof it! When he went around the bend...whats the bend made of? Is there any cover there you could slip through and get out on him?...Either that or get over to the northeast corner and slip down that pasture fence until you have an opportunity...maybe? Who knows though...I would for sure get aggressive and try some sort of ground assault choosing the best way based on cover and wind.

IF the bucks have come out every night through the timber, then wait until tomorrow and leave your stand in the tree. Get on the ground, get along the edge of the timber and use a tree for cover near their entry point. You've got a 100 yard reach with that muzzle loader which gives you a 200 yard effective range to either side, so you don't have to be that close to their entry anyway.

Sit still and wait. Nothing wrong with hunting from the ground.

“There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace.” Aldo Leopold

"Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the wildlife you hunt and for the forest and fields in which you walk. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person." - Fred Bear

given the sparse cover in the direction the deer went and the shortage of legal shooting light i would sit tight and perhaps try to relocate a stand or blind further down the the timber edge. pray for a last day blessing.

"please join the N.R.A. as well as your state rifle association! these are critical times for ALL gun owners. Be informed, be active and stay vigilant"

I'd be tempted to get down and go after him. Its possible the doe is close to coming in to heat and you might not see him again. However since there's two more big bucks around I'd sit the rest of night. Tomorrow I'd set up some kind of ground blind closer to where there coming out(according to the wind of course).

I would hunt from the ground the next day near where the bucks come into the field. if its late season they are going to come to feed and then its game over... I dont like to get down and going after the deer because if you do and the deer catches you now you may have screwed up the field for the last day of the season..